CAMP GRAFTON TRAINING CENTER, DEVILS LAKE, N.D. — Capt. Jason E. Peterson, of Grand Forks, N.D., was honored for his more than 20 years of service in the North Dakota Army National Guard during a retirement ceremony at the 164th Regional Training Institute at the Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake, N.D., March 17.
Most recently, Peterson served as the North Dakota Army National Guard’s Officer Candidate School’s company commander and senior training, advising and counseling officer. He began his military career in 1991, enlisting while in high school in Leonard, N.D.
Peterson has served in a variety of roles throughout his career. He has performed the duties of a construction surveyor, technical engineer specialist, technical engineer sergeant, reconnaissance sergeant, platoon leader, staff officer and company commander.
In 2005, he deployed overseas with the 164th Engineer Battalion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a platoon leader and company executive officer. Peterson led more than 100 combat patrols, clearing improvised explosive devices on more than 29,000 kilometers of roadway during “trailblazer” missions. He was awarded the Combat Action Badge for being engaged in combat while attached to an infantry unit. In addition, Peterson was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service and achievements.
He deployed again in 2009 as a company commander with the Kosovo Force (KFOR) 12 as part of a NATO peacekeeping mission. For his service there, Peterson was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
In addition to overseas deployments, Peterson has supported a number of missions within the state. He participated in flood response operations in North Dakota in 1993, 1997 and 2009. He also has participated in a number of construction projects including road construction and range and training area improvements at Camp Grafton, Devils Lake, N.D.
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Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more than 3,800 Soldiers and more than 1,800 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Currently, about 275 North Dakota Guardsmen are serving overseas while more than 4,000 remain in the state for emergency response and national defense. For every 10,000 citizens in North Dakota, 65 serve in the North Dakota National Guard, a rate that’s more than four times the national average.